Energy giants face calls to hand over customers

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The “Big Six” energy suppliers face growing calls for millions of customers to be stripped from their books and sold on to smaller rivals in a bid to break their stranglehold on the market.

Ahead of the Government’s looming energy price crackdown, a report from the Adam Smith Institute has warned that a cap on standard energy tariffs could stifle switching rates.

Instead, policymakers should invite the incumbent energy companies to sell off 10pc of their customer base to ­allow new entrants to gain a foothold in the market and boost competition for consumers, it urges.

“Unlike price caps, this measure would stimulate competition and allow new suppliers to prove their ability to offer lower prices...